How to Search for Your Ancestors’ Other Children or Spouses: Genealogy Research Strategy

how to find ancestors missing childrenThe records we find don’t always mention every child or spouse of an ancestor. Use this genealogy research strategy to find “missing relatives.”

In the recent Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast episode 133, I had the opportunity to chat with the wonderful Peggy Lauritzen, AG, about strategies for finding female ancestors. Peggy mentioned using “Parent Search” at FamilySearch.org to find dozens of previously-unknown children born to her ancestors. It’s a terrific strategy that you can start using right away.

Here’s a quick step-by-step tutorial for using “Parent Search” at FamilySearch.org. You can adapt this strategy for searching for additional spouses or other family members.

1. Go to FamilySearch.org and click Search, then Records. Or go directly to the main search page at https://familysearch.org/search/
2. In the main Search box, leave the name of the deceased ancestor blank.Scroll down to where it says “Search with a Relationship.” Click parents.
3. Enter the name of at least one parent.
4. Click “Search.”

Here’s what that search screen will look like:

Parent search on FamilySearch

It works just as slick in Ancestry. Here’s an example of searching only on the parent’s names:

ancestry parent search

 

And here are the results:

ancestry parent search results

Premium 133You can catch the entire conversation with Peggy Lauritzen, AG–including another great genealogy research strategy for finding female ancestors in records if you’re a Genealogy Gems Premium Member. Just click on the episode link above. Not a member yet? Don’t miss out on any more great search strategies like this! Click here to learn more Genealogy Gems Premium website membership’s one low annual fee–and the hundreds of hours of use-them-now tips and inspiring stories you’ll get during that year!

More Gems for Finding Your Missing Ancestors (and their Records)

Ancestors Parents6 Sources That May Name Your Ancestors’ Parents

The Case of the Missing Parents Continues: 2 Powerful Research Strategies

Look for Missing Parents in Catholic Church Records

Pin It on Pinterest

MENU